Chapter 3- EMT-Basic

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs ofthe patient.

Advance directive

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

Applied Ethics

The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.

Assault

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.

Battery

Touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent.

bioethics

The study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care.

Breach of confidentiality

Disclosure of information without proper authorization.

compensatory damages

Damages awarded in a civil suit that are intended to restore the

plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the

incident complained about in the lawsuit.

competent

Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.

contributary negligence

A legal defense that may be raised when the defendant feels that the

conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages

that were sustained by the plaintiff.

defamation

The communication of false information about a person that is damaging to that person's reputation or standing in the community.

depositions

Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath.

durable power of attorney for health care

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints

another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her

behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses

decision-making capacity.

emergency doctrine

The principle of law that permits a health care provider to treat a patient in an emergency situation when the patient is incapable of granting consent because of an altered level of consciousness, disability, the effects of drugs or alcohol, or the patient's age.

Ethics

The philosophy of right and wrong, of moral duties, and of ideal professional behavior.

Expressed Consent

A type of consent in which a patient gives express authorization for provision of care or transport.

Good Samaritan laws

Statutory provisions enacted by many states to protect citizens from liability for errors and omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care, unless there is wanton, gross, or willful negligence.

gross negligence

Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care.

health care directive

A written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient, should he or she become unable to make decisions. Also known as an advance directive or a living will.

health care proxies

A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.

Also known as a durable power of attorney for health care.

Implied Constent

Type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want

treatment.

Imformed Consent

Permission for treatment given by a competent patient after the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment have been explained.

libel

False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writing.

Negligence

Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide.

patient autonomy

The right of a patient to make informed choices regarding his or her health care.

proximate causation

When a person who has a duty abuses it, and causes harm to another

individual; the EMT, the agency, and/or the medical director may be sued

for negligence.

rigor mortis

Stiffening of the body; a definitive sign of death.

Standard Of Care

Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm.